Aqiqah date calculator: the 7th day after birth
This aqiqah date calculator finds the seventh day after a baby’s birth — the day of the ʿaqiqah, the shaving of the head and the naming — and the 14th and 21st days that many families use if the seventh passes. Because scholars count the days in two ways, it shows both side by side, with the Hijri date of every day and how many sheep or goats are needed for a boy, a girl or twins.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “A boy is in pledge for his ʿaqiqah; sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given his name” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2838, from Samurah ibn Jundub; graded sahih). Enter the date of birth, say whether the baby was born in the day, after sunset or before dawn, and read the dates. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
How to use the Aqiqah Date Calculator
- Enter the Date of birth.
- Choose The baby was born: during the day, after sunset, or after midnight before dawn.
- Pick how to count: the birth day as day 1, or the Maliki count from the next day.
- Enter the number of boys and girls and how many animals you follow.
- Choose the Hijri calendar and any moon-sighting adjustment, then copy the dates.
Aqiqah Date Calculator features
Both counting methods
The birth day counted as day 1, and the Maliki count, in one table.
The sunset rule
A baby born after Maghrib is counted from the next day, as the Islamic day begins at sunset.
7th, 14th and 21st days
With the weekday and the Hijri date of each.
Sheep or goats
Two for a boy and one for a girl, or one for each child, for twins too.
Hijri calendars
Umm al-Qura or tabular, with a ±1 or 2 day local-sighting shift.
How to calculate the aqiqah day
Most scholars — the Shafiʿi and Hanbali schools and many Hanafi scholars — count the day of birth as the first of the seven days, so the ʿaqiqah falls on the weekday before the weekday of birth: a baby born on a Sunday has the ʿaqiqah on Saturday. Al-Nawawi called this the sounder view (IslamQA 171377). The Maliki school does not count a birth that happens during the day, so the seventh day falls on the same weekday: a Sunday birth, the next Sunday.
Both agree that the Islamic day begins at sunset: a baby born in the evening or at night belongs to the following day, which is day 1. For a birth after midnight but before dawn, that same calendar date is day 1. If the seventh day passes, a narration in al-Bayhaqi (with a weak chain) and the practice Tirmidhi reports from scholars mention the 14th and then the 21st day; many scholars allow the ʿaqiqah later too.
| Born (daytime) | 7th day — birth day counted | 7th day — Maliki |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Monday | Sunday | Monday |
| Friday | Thursday | Friday |
How many sheep or goats
Umm Kurz reported the Prophet ﷺ saying: “Two resembling sheep for a boy and one for a girl” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2834; similar from ʿAʾishah in Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 1513). Many scholars accept one for a boy, and the Maliki school recommends one for each child. Choose the option you follow; the count covers twins and more.
To convert any date see the Hijri date converter; for names, the baby name generator; and to track a child’s age in the Islamic calendar, the Hijri age calculator.
Aqiqah Date Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate the aqeeqah day?
Count seven days starting with the day of birth — for most scholars the day before the same weekday next week. The calculator shows this and the Maliki count.
Is the day of birth counted for aqiqah?
For most scholars yes, if the baby was born in the daytime. The Maliki school starts the next day. A birth after sunset is counted from the next day in both views.
When should a baby’s aqiqah be done?
On the seventh day; if that is not possible, many do it on the 14th or 21st day, or later.
How many goats for a baby girl’s aqiqah?
One sheep or goat for a girl; for a boy two, or one according to many scholars.
Does the Hijri date matter?
The count is in days, so the Gregorian dates are what you need; the Hijri date is shown for reference and for local moon sighting.
Is this a fatwa?
No. It shows the methods with their sources; confirm the day with your local scholar or imam.